In regards to clubbing, one of the most difficult choices to make is selecting the location of one’s shenanigans on the long weekend (especially when the “long” part of it falls on the Monday). Weeks of planning and preparation must take place: tickets, finances, etc. You are required to have accord amongst friends, and conscientious organisation is essential. The Anzac long weekend was no different. I would have loved to have been able to do two nights in a row, but I have concluded that my body does not appreciate this as it once used to (I have also concluded that maybe it never did and I am paying for it now).

After much soul searching, I decided that The Hacker and David Carretta at Suzie Q’s was the place for me. Naturally, the headliners did have weight in my decision. Seeing two frenchies who have been influencing techno/electro music for twelve years definitely had its appeal, and Carretta’s moustache (oops, I mean reputation) preceeded him. Due to the longevity of their careers, I also perceived the crowd would be mixed, and slightly older. For once, I did not feel I had to adhere to any particular aesthetic expectations in regards to my appearance: it was oddly liberating to leave the Tsubi’s and high heels in my wardrobe.

Also, having been present at Sweetchilli a week earlier I had no false expectations of the venue. Whilst it is slightly dark, and does not boast an exciting selection of beer, the sound is great and there are a few separate areas to chill. The crowd is always friendly, and even if there is a queue in the ladies, there are sufficient mottos and witticisms on the wall to keep you entertained. It is an intimate venue, which could hypothetically cause a problem if you were trying to avoid people. There are also two separate rooms for music and neither of those rooms encroaches upon the other. I realised how important this was when I was there last week and the side room outshone the main room. Which leads me to the final clincher in me attending Suzie Q’s on Saturday night.

Even though in my opinion the headliner was not up to “scratch” the week before, it was still a sensational night held together by the powerful support and the crowd. Sweetchilli amalgamating with Gusto Productions and Mo Groove for the the next Saturday evening was something I was looking forward to as I can honestly say I have never had a bad experience at any of their events (and this goes all the way back to Splash in 1998). There was no doubt in my mind that the night involving Hacker & Carretta would be executed by all involved with aplomb.

I was under the misconception that Sweetchilli’s forte was prog nights: I was wrong. These people are adept in throwing parties anywhere, anytime, any genre. All of my presumptions came to fruition in a manner even I was not expecting. There was nothing bland about the night (more Frenchman would have done me just fine though). The music was a delightful rollercoaster: each set contributed to the package. When we arrived, we were treated to techy house in the side room, which moved on to electro, and consistently got heavier. When The Hacker came on in the main room, there was not a stagnate body in the club: everyone was well and truly warmed up. The bar area was moderately empty, aside from people pausing briefly to get a drink.

Dave Carretta started at 3.15 and was splendid. He played from the front of the main room and it was definitely a performance. Sadly I didn’t get close enough to take in too much, but this didn’t seem to matter as his presence radiated throughout the venue. From the back you could see his hair flopping about, and everyone immersing themselves in the set. He had a very cool French accent: I never thought that theatrical techno was possible. I was proven wrong. The set was at exactly the right time, and it did not disappoint.

At 4.45 I looked around and believed briefly that the party had quietened down. I was sorely mistaken. The side room was, for lack of a better term, going off. I could barely squeeze in there. The ambiece of the night had not diminished. Naturally the support acts such as Ajax, Simon Caldwell, Crispin, Mark Murphy, Daniel C, N-Zed, Murat and RifRaf were all very solid. These guys never fail to surprise me with their versatility: one week they are playing cheesy breaks, the next they are providing the punters with deep techno.

I was also under the misconception that Sweetchilli’s forte was prog nights: I was wrong. These people are adept in throwing parties anywhere, anytime, any genre.